Cyrus

I've got a question about storage conditions for guns.
I recently moved to a new house and the only plausible place for my gunsafe is in the basement. The basement is completely finished but is a little more humid than the main floor. We're not talkingmoisture on the walls or anythingjust slightly more humid than upstairs.We do have a dehumidifier that runs done there and helps a lot as well. I might add that this humidity would only be for the summer months as our winters are dry as hell around here.
Do I need to worry about rust on my guns or am I just being too paranoid?
Thanks for any advice.

vangunsmith

They sell stuff just for safes to get rid of that problem before it happens. You might check with Mildway or Brownells. vangunsmith

G2 Shooter

Buy yourself a de-humidifying rod. They are around $25 USD. Just run the cord out of the safe and plug it in. Then you don't have to worry about desiccant.

bigcountry

I wouldn't do it. I know too many people that say, "I never had a problem", then forget about cleanign thier guns twice a year or oiling them down, to find them a few years later with surface rust. I recently bought a bunch of guns from an estate sale where the guy had them in his trailer and he got down and sick for a few years, and the guns were rusted besides the stainless ones.

ColoradoElk

I would not have a problem with the safe in the basement. I would get the dehumidifying rod and use the Cabelas "gun socks", as they prevent moisture accumulating on the guns (no airflow around the guns when the safe is opened etc.). I agree with Big about people forgetting about guns and then they rust. However, if you don't even look at your guns a few times a year, you might as well sell them now...

Good luck,
CE

bigcountry

Let me edit what I said. I didn't notice you have a safe. I have a safe also in my basement. I use the dehydrating packs and golden rod and I have one of those temp sensors that says humidity.You know the ones with a remote read outand sensors people put outside. I just got an extra sensor for my safe.I keep humidity below 50% at all times. But keep my eyes on it.

flcracker

cyrus, I live in florida and up until last december i lived on the beachside in town....about 300 yards from the atlantic. I was especially paranoid there, not as much now cuz I'm 30 miles inland but I still have the same setup. I have a dehumidifing rod in the safe ( i think mine is a browning), a box of dessicant - that you pop in the oven from time to time when you need a recharge, and i found these little wafers that use vapor technology or some nonsense and are supposed to make a rust inhibiting vapor cloud and there on the shelves floor up near the barrels etc.plus i wipe them with a rusteprufe chamois when ever i touch the metal. Last year during our hurricanes my house flooded...water was at the bottom of the safe. Not into it but at the bottom near the floor....but the time #2,#3,#4 came ashore i had jacked up the safe with cut 4x4s and when i recently moved i saw the bottom of the safe was covered in rust.....and no problems with the guns at all....you should have no problems.

ColoradoElk

Hi Fl:

I haven't had my basement flood yet, but don't rule out the possibility. How did you raise your safe to get the 2x4s underneath???

Thanks,
CE

trailer

My safe is also in the basement. Before fastening it to the floor ,I made a heavy steel base to lift the safe off the floor and create an air space to prevent humidity on the underside. I’ve had my safe for a couple of years and have never had problems with humidity inside either but I think next time I go to Cabela’s I’m going to pick up one of those electric rods. They aren’t that expensive and are well worth it.

bigcountry

Trailer, what is your humidity?